Macaroon Frenzy
Up to this point I have not talked much about the ubiquitous French macaron. Don’t get me wrong, I love them. Worship them. Can’t imagine my life without them. I guess I just hadn’t got around to it yet. But then, the other day, my dear blogging friend Melanie, suggested eating macaroons to pull me from my winter blues stint. But, I have no access to them. If I can’t eat ‘em, at least I can write about ‘em. And maybe reminisce at little.
I was so excited to have my first macaron in France. It was at Laduree, the king of all macaron makers.
You see, I had always eaten macaroons in New York. My grandmother worked at a bakery, and one of her favorites treats, next to black and white cookies, were coconut macaroons. I was very familiar with these dome shaped, buttery, moist, coco-nutty cookies. So, imagine my surprise when I looked into the Laduree display case, and found these teeny-tiny easter egg colored, light and fluffy sandwich cookies? What? Are you kidding? That is NOT a macaroon!
Now the big decision came. The tasting. What flavors? Some sounded decadent, like raspberry and coffee. But others sounded strange, like basil. A basil cookie…. ewwww. I saw flowery names, violet and rose? Blech. I don’t know about you, but eating perfume never sounded appetizing to me. I tell you, there were at least 15 flavors, and alot of them were, well…weird.
Oh, and the decorative boxes, the colors and the designs were to die for.
I stood ogling the case as Parisians swarmed all around me. It was a very intimidating experience. I moved to the back of the room and watched until I felt comfortable with the macaron ordering process.
Oh, the fun I had that day. I ordered a box to go. I took a ride on the wild side. I sampled lemon, lime, raspberry, coffee, pistachio, violet, rose, salted butter caramel and mint. Yep, the violet AND the rose!! And to my surprise, I loved French Macarons. All of them. Even the weird ones. So light, crispy, fluffy, flavorful. Oh la la!
On my last trip, I went back to Laduree, but I also decided I would also seek out some other Gourmet Shops in Paris
I headed for Pierre Herme. I had heard wonderful things about his desserts and his macarons.
Look at all of his delicious flavors. Hmm, looks like they may have more filling inside.
And check out this giant macaron. Oh my, I had to hold myself back from jumping over the case to grab this beauty.
On a mission, I strolled on over to Gerard Mulot, another big name in macarons. I round the corner, only to find this.
Closed today. Locked up tight as a drum. On a Wednesday? Ah, C’est la Vie! There will always be next time.
My macaron tasting would not be complete without a visit to Lenotre. These were also wonderful.
Looking back I will tell you, I have never met a macaron that I didn’t like, Sure, I like some flavors more than others, but I really liked them all. The quality at all the Patisserie’s
Where is your favorite place for French macarons? Which flavor really rocks your world?
Subscribe!
Share my passion for France and Italy? Want more travel tips, recipes, photos, hotel and restaurant advice? Subscribe in a feed reader. or enter your email in the box below ↓
| Search & compare hotel deals | |
| city | |
| from | days |
| guest(s) room(s) | |
|
|
|
| Compare hotels in Paris | Milan hotels comparison engine | |
powered by
|
|
Lijit Search
Lijit Search
Online Hotel Reservations
CHEAP HOTELS IN ITALY & FRANCE
- *NEW* Six Little Italy Neighborhoods Across the U.S.
- 8 Movies that Inspire Travel
- Experts Share Tips About Italy With Journeywoman
- Five Favorites : Lucca
- Historic Cafes of Paris
- How to Enjoy a Resort, if You're Not a Resort Person
- My Perfect Solo Day in Paris
- The Best French Food May Not be in France: A Culinary Tour of Quebec
- Travel and Art Intersect on Road to Understanding
- Winter in Paris
January 12th, 2008
That enlarged photo of the red cookie is outrageously good! ALL of the photos are excellent!
They are cheering me up.
January 12th, 2008
Macaroon Frenzy
Bookmarked your post over at Blog Bookmarker.com!
January 12th, 2008
Excellent photos. I haven’t ever had a macaroon, the giant red one looks very tasty…yes not sure about eating flowery ones. No it doesn;t seem right to me.
January 13th, 2008
I live in Australia and a macaroon to us was a coconut one too.I would put the coconut mac’s in a trifle when I made one – you must try that if you are a “trifle girl” Then I visited Paris and Macaroons can be different! Oh yes they can.LOL
I have to say Laudree’s rose is my favourite and don’t you just love their chic package colours with the boxes etc!
January 13th, 2008
Why can’t we have wonderful shops like that here? I suppose you might find a great store like those in NYC, but southern California is a wasteland! I’ve always wondered why “our” macaroons are so different from the French?
January 13th, 2008
Maryann~ Thanks, that is one of my favs from ym last trip too:)
Anne~ Oh my, you must have one. They are delish!! I was hesitant about the flowery ones, but they were pretty good. I prefered the violet!
Melinda~ Oh, a macaroon trifile, that sounds sinful!!! And yes, I love their packaging
Janie~ Yeah, NYC would have some, and there is a shop in Connecticut that I found, but hey it’s not Paris. There is something about eating them there I think
January 13th, 2008
I love the photos…they are beautiful. Can you believe that I, major Paris fanatic, doesn’t like macaroons? Actually, I don’t really care for cookies, pastries, etc. Hubby thinks it’s weird when we’re in Paris because I’ll stare at all the patisserie windows but won’t even step inside. Now wine….that’s another story…tee hee.
January 13th, 2008
Wow Robin,
Great photos thoughts of your macaroons memories!! It brightens my evening and makes me hungry!
Hope you are having a fun and delicious night!
Constance
January 14th, 2008
Angie~ What, no macaroons for you??? Well, I do think half the fun is just looking at them! They are so pretty aren’t they???
Constance~ Glad I could brighten your night. We are *waiting* for the snow to come
January 14th, 2008
Sure, make a girl cry. What wonderful photos! What a fun trip down Macaroon Lane! Definitely makes me long for Paris.
January 14th, 2008
I’ve never tasted a macaroon in France…I only know the variety I can get here, in a can. The do not even look like the same animal!
That pink one..with a rose petal atop???
I am imagining they just melt in your mouth…
January 14th, 2008
Lulu~ Oh no. I hope they are tears of joy
Steph~ Oh they do. So light and crispy…mmmm!!
January 14th, 2008
There is no connection between those icky (IMO) coconut macaroon cookies that I became familiar with while I was growing up and the Parisian macarons that everyone seems to love. The former are the cookies that Jews eat during Passover when we’re not supposed to be eating all the yummy stuff made with flour. I’ve never tasted those French goodies, though I’ve been to Paris twice, but it’s on my to-do list for my third trip, whenever that will take place.
January 15th, 2008
Ah like jewels in the box. Like Tiffany’s window diplays! I like happiness in the heart.
Delicious and oh so pretty!
January 15th, 2008
Chouzy~ Oh, but you must go to Laduree for your first bite. It will be love at first sight
Corey~ What tasty jewels they make!!
January 17th, 2008
Wonderful pictures. They make me Hungry !!!MIam miam miam …
My favorites are P. H ones but I’ve never tasted the Mulot’s ones ..Should I ?
January 17th, 2008
Laduree, hands down! xo
January 18th, 2008
Melanie~ I haven’t gotten to Mulot either….but I think we should both try
Tara~ Glad you’re with me on that one!!
January 18th, 2008
I have tasted all of them. Due to being a food critic I must say the best Macarons are the ones my friend Cynthia use to make when she lived in Paris. By far hands down hers where the best.
Laduree’s are great and their decor amazingly delicious for the eyes!
January 18th, 2008
Corey~ I think you hit the nail on the head. Laduree’s macaroons are best because of the lovely surroundings. You could probably eat spolied milk there and it wouldn’t phase you a bit!
January 28th, 2008
I didn’t know about French macarons when I visited Paris and now I spend a ridiculous amount of time dreaming of something I’ve never even tasted! Something to look forward to for my next trip, eh? Unless I can find them nearer than France – maybe a French patisserie somewhere along the Pacific Coast when I’m inevitably traveling up and down it this summer?
February 1st, 2008
three times in France and never been there!! Can you believe it? now i wanna go just to try those lol
thanks dear for the lovely post and photos, you give us a good advertise to go there
February 23rd, 2008
Hello, I just found your beautiful blog via Le Petit Cabinet. . .these photographs make me more determined than ever to get to France. They are just lovely!! Not that I was in any need of more convincing as far as that goes!!
Michelle
August 19th, 2008
The Laduree Ginza has just opened in Tokyo.
And I found your wonderful blog.
Thank you for the beautiful photos!
August 21st, 2010
I adore them! When we were in Paris I wanted to bring some home and asked if I could freeze them. Well, you know of course their answer was “Mais, no!” But— I brought them home and froze them. Each day I took one out for a treat- granted, they weren’t as perfect as when you walk out of the patisserie, but almost.
August 21st, 2010
The closest I have ever gotten to such a cookie was a confection from Bump and Grind in Denver, now sadly defunct. It consisted of two large gingersnaps with cream cheese frosting in between. It wasn’t elegant, but it was good.